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SWPS University - Main page

Mental health and physical fitness are crucial for the quality of life. Numerous studies indicate that healthy habits and behaviors help to prevent many diseases and health conditions. So simple, yet so impactful.

Find out more
Other areas
SWPS University
The place for
research
Health
and Quality of Life
Health
and Quality of Life
Other areas: Design for Social Innovation Constitutional Law Voting Behavior Materials of the Future Health and Quality of Life Neuroscience

We carry out research in various disciplines and areas of life to find solutions to problems and challenges that the world throws at us nowadays. Increasing digitalization, information overload, fast-paced work environment, sedentary lifestyle, and bad eating habits coupled with social and political conflicts and degradation of the natural environment... are just the tip of the iceberg that we must deal with in the 21st century.

SWPS University carries out advanced research in many disciplines, such as psychology, cultural studies, social sciences, law as well as art and design. As scientists, we aim to provide research-based data-driven solutions that are both practical and useful, and truly improve the quality of life for individuals and whole communities, making the world a better place.

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an interview with Professor Aleksandra Łuszczyńska

Research
that improves lives

to live not only longer, but better

We talk with Professor Aleksandra Łuszczyńska, an acclaimed health psychologist from SWPS University, about groundbreaking research in health sciences, illnesses of the future, and the role of researchers.

read the whole interview
Aleksandra Luszczynska
02

Research projects and applications

We carry out research in many health-related areas

e-health
Med-Stres

psychological online interventions for medical personnel

e-health
Med-Stres – psychological online interventions for medical personnel

We developed an online psychological support program that helps medical professionals cope with exacerbated stress.
disease prevention
Are optimists

more eager to get vaccinated?

disease prevention
Are optimists more eager to get vaccinated?

We examined how people’s general world-view impacted their attitudes towards the pandemic and COVID-19 vaccines.
eating habits
CO-CREATE

Confronting Obesity

eating habits
CO-CREATE: Confronting Obesity

We are working on an international project aimed at preventing child and adolescent obesity in Europe.

e-health
We choose

health

e-health
We choose health

We developed a series of online interventions that help people lose weight and develop healthy habits.
physical fitness
Partners supporting

pro-health behaviors

physical fitness
Partners supporting pro-health behaviors

We examined the role of supporting partners in maintaining positive health behavior change.
e-health
DESMoPsI

innovative system for psychological interventions

e-health
DESMoPsI – innovative system for psychological interventions

We developed a System for the Design, Evaluation, and Sharing of Mobile Psychological Interventions on Mobile Devices (DESMoPsI).

disease prevention
Health behavior

change during the COVID-19 pandemic

disease prevention
Health behavior change during the COVID-19 pandemic

We investigated how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the hand washing habit and how this behavior had changed with the decrease in the number of infections.
e-health
Repetitive negative thinking

in depression

e-health
Repetitive negative thinking in depression

We tested whether a mobile application can help people suffering from depression break the spiral of repetitive thinking.
mental health
Positive aging

values and norms

mental health
Positive aging – values and norms

We examined predictors of positive aging among Polish and German retirees.

mental health
Stress

and interpersonal relations in serious illness

mental health
Stress and interpersonal relations in serious illness

We examined how partners’ attitudes and behaviors impact the thinking, emotions and activity of persons coping with serious somatic health conditions.
e-health
Chatbot

psychotherapeutic support

e-health
Chatbot - psychotherapeutic support

We are currently developing a chatbot that will provide psychological support, rooted in cognitive-behavioral therapy, to individuals in distress, via popular messaging apps.
mental health
Professional burnout

among psychotherapists during the pandemic

mental health
Professional burnout among psychotherapists during the pandemic

During this international study we investigated what factors contributed the most to professional burnout among therapists.

eating habits
Effectiveness

of policies promoting healthy diet

eating habits
Effectiveness of policies promoting healthy diet

We examined what aspects of policies promoting healthy diet and physical activity are most effective.
mental health
Humor

as a weapon in fighting depression

mental health
Humor as a weapon in fighting depression

We have shown that humor is an effective strategy for emotion regulation and prevention of recurring depressive episodes.
mental health
Policy Evaluation Network

effectiveness of existing policies for lifestyle interventions

mental health
Policy Evaluation Network: effectiveness of existing policies for lifestyle interventions

As part of an international research consortium, we investigate the effectiveness of existing policies concerning healthy diet and physical activity.

mental health
Determinants

of a healthy lifestyle

mental health
Determinants of a healthy lifestyle

We examined what are the key determinants of healthy eating and sufficient physical activity, and we developed an online platform summarizing best practices concerning healthy lifestyle.
mental health
Mood changes

in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

mental health
Mood changes in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

We explored mood dynamics in people suffering from MDD using a smartphone application.

e-health
Med-Stres – psychological online interventions for medical personnel

We developed an online psychological support program that helps medical professionals cope with exacerbated stress.

disease prevention
Are optimists more eager to get vaccinated?

We examined how people’s general world-view impacted their attitudes towards the pandemic and COVID-19 vaccines.

eating habits
CO-CREATE: Confronting Obesity

We are working on an international project aimed at preventing child and adolescent obesity in Europe.

e-health
We choose health

We developed a series of online interventions that help people lose weight and develop healthy habits.

physical fitness
Partners supporting pro-health behaviors

We examined the role of supporting partners in maintaining positive health behavior change.

e-health
DESMoPsI – innovative system for psychological interventions

We developed a System for the Design, Evaluation, and Sharing of Mobile Psychological Interventions on Mobile Devices (DESMoPsI).

disease prevention
Health behavior change during the COVID-19 pandemic

We investigated how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the hand washing habit and how this behavior had changed with the decrease in the number of infections.

e-health
Repetitive negative thinking in depression

We tested whether a mobile application can help people suffering from depression break the spiral of repetitive thinking.

mental health
Positive aging – values and norms

We examined predictors of positive aging among Polish and German retirees.

mental health
Stress and interpersonal relations in serious illness

We examined how partners’ attitudes and behaviors impact the thinking, emotions and activity of persons coping with serious somatic health conditions.

e-health
Chatbot - psychotherapeutic support

We are currently developing a chatbot that will provide psychological support, rooted in cognitive-behavioral therapy, to individuals in distress, via popular messaging apps.

mental health
Professional burnout among psychotherapists during the pandemic

During this international study we investigated what factors contributed the most to professional burnout among therapists.

eating habits
Effectiveness of policies promoting healthy diet

We examined what aspects of policies promoting healthy diet and physical activity are most effective.

mental health
Humor as a weapon in fighting depression

We have shown that humor is an effective strategy for emotion regulation and prevention of recurring depressive episodes.

mental health
Policy Evaluation Network: effectiveness of existing policies for lifestyle interventions

As part of an international research consortium, we investigate the effectiveness of existing policies concerning healthy diet and physical activity.

mental health
Determinants of a healthy lifestyle

We examined what are the key determinants of healthy eating and sufficient physical activity, and we developed an online platform summarizing best practices concerning healthy lifestyle.

mental health
Mood changes in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

We explored mood dynamics in people suffering from MDD using a smartphone application.

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Health and Quality of Life

03
SWPS

Did you know that...

Online psychological interventions are effective in helping medical personnel cope with stress and professional burnout.

Read the article:


Smoktunowicz, E., Leśnierowska, M., Carlbring, P., Andersson, G., Cieślak, R. (2021). Resource-Based Internet Intervention (Med-Stress) to Improve Well-Being Among Medical Professionals: Randomized Controlled Trial, Journal of Medical Internet Research, 23(1):e21445.

In prolonged illness, emotional wellbeing of both patient and caregiver is better, if the patient provides equal or greater support to the caregiver.

Read the article:


Kroemeke, A., Knoll, N., Sobczyk-Kruszelnicka, M. (2019). Dyadic support and affect in patient-caregiver dyads following hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation: A diary study, Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 87(6), 541–550.

Personal physical fitness plans, which include partners providing support and encouragement, prove to be the most effective strategy for increasing the level of physical activity.

Read the article:


Kulis, E., Szczuka, Z., Keller, J., Banik, A., Boberska, M., Kruk, M., Knoll, N., Radtke, T., Scholz, U., Rhodes, R. E., Luszczynska, A. (2022).Collaborative, Dyadic, and Individual Planning and Physical Activity: A Dyadic Randomized Controlled Trial Health Psychology, 41(2), 134–144.

Secondary trauma may negatively impact mental health and lead to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Read the article:


Lesnierowska, M., Cieslak, R. (2021). Nie na własnej skórze: psychologiczne skutki pośrednich doświadczeń traumatycznych. (Not Personally: Psychological outcomes of secondary traumatic experiences) w: Dragan, M., Rzeszutek, M., (red.), Z badań nad traumą psychiczną w Polsce, Warszawa, Wydawnictwo Naukowe SCHOLAR.

Autonomy support provided to cancer patients improves their wellbeing.

Read the article:


Kroemeke, A., Sobczyk-Kruszelnicka, M. (2022). Daily analysis of autonomy support and well-being in patient–caregiver dyads facing haematopoietic cell transplantation, British Journal of Health Psychology, 27: 789-801.

Human service workers who experience professional burnout are at increased risk of suffering form secondary traumatic stress (STS).

Read the article:


Shoji, K., Lesnierowska, M., Smoktunowicz, E., Bock, J., Luszczynska, A., Benight, Ch., Cieslak R. (2015). What Comes First, Job Burnout or Secondary Traumatic Stress? Findings from Two Longitudinal Studies from the U.S. and Poland, PLOS ONE 10(8): e0136730.

The field of online psychological interventions is plagued with inconsistent terminology use, which leads to miscommunication between stakeholders. We proposed how to remedy this issue.

Read the article:


Smoktunowicz, E., Barak, A., Andersson, G., et al. (2020). Consensus statement on the problem of terminology in psychological interventions using the internet or digital components, Internet Interventions, 21, 2020, 100331, ISSN 2214-7829.

An online application New in Town helps domestic migrants with psychological adaptation in the new place of residence.

Read the article:


Rogala, A., Szczepaniak, M., Michalak, N., Andersson, G. (2020). Internet-based self-help intervention aimed at increasing social self-efficacy among internal migrants in Poland: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial, Internet Interv., 2020 Apr 23, 21:100322.

Positive work-related emotions are conducive to job crafting and even greater work satisfaction.

Read the article:


Rogala, A., Cieślak, R. (2019). Positive Emotions at Work and Job Crafting: Results From Two Prospective Studies, Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 2786.
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Research centers

specializing in health psychology and quality of life

CARE-BEH Center for Applied Research on Health Behavior and Health

We research, develop, and evaluate psychological interventions in the field of health psychology. We are part of international research consortia, such as Policy Evaluation Network, and we collaborate with numerous research centers from Australia, China, Germany, Israel, and Switzerland.

learn more
SWPS

Health & Coping Research Group

We specialize in health psychology, in particular in various aspects of coping with prolonged stress. We collaborate with the National Research Institute of Oncology in Gliwice and many research centers in Poland, Cyprus, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain.

learn more
SWPS

StresLab: Center for Research on Stress

We research professional stress and burnout as well as stress resulting from experiencing trauma. We develop online psychological interventions and research their efficacy.

learn more
SWPS

see next research center

05

Research infrastructure

Cutting-edge research requires professional tools and methodologies

Accelerometers ActiGraph wGT3X-BT

CARE-BEH Center for Applied Research on Health Behavior and Health

Accelerometers provide digital measures of sleep quality and duration, circadian rhythm, physical activity, and energy expenditure. They help to analyze changes in the above-noted parameters over time, and verify the efficacy of psychological interventions.

Go to the Center’s webpage

TANITA MC-780 S MA scales

CARE-BEH Center for Applied Research on Health Behavior and Health

TANITA scales are portable segmental multi frequency body composition analyzers. They measure different values of the body and provide detailed reports of the patient's health status. They can perform full body scans or measure selected parts of the body.

Go to the Center’s webpage

HRV4Training mobile app

Health & Coping Research Group

HRV4Training is a mobile app that measures heart rate variability (HRV), which is considered to be a sufficiently accurate physiological indicator of psychological stress. The app uses the photoplethysmography (PPG) technique, via the smartphone camera, to detect volumetric changes in blood in peripheral circulation. It allows us to assess the efficacy of providing support in the natural environment.

Go to the Center’s webpage

Polish adaptation of Young Schema Questionnaire S3-PL

Chodkiewicz, J., Gruszczyńska, E., Mącik, D., Oettingen, J.

We adapted the Questionnaire due to its popularity and frequent demand for its use in research, and to meet the needs of therapeutic and clinical applications. The body of data indicates that the Polish version of the Questionnaire does not differ from other language versions and can be recommended as an assessment tool, providing the users are aware of its limitations.

More information

Polish adaptation of the Suicide Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised (SBQ-R) by A. Osman et al.

Chodkiewicz, J., Gruszczyńska, E.

The Polish adaptation of the Questionnaire is considered useful in clinical trials, screenings, and in the diagnosis of suicide risk in therapeutic practice of young adults. Its undeniable advantages include a brief form coupled with high reliability, good discriminant power and relative independence of depressive symptoms assessment.

More information

Polish adaptation of the Stress Mindset Measure (SMM)

Banaszkiewicz, M., Gruszczyńska, E., Mierzejewska-Floreani, D.

Research indicates that the Polish adaptation of the SMM has very good psychometric properties. However, the unidimensional character of the original scale has not been confirmed, which was also the case in other existing adaptations. Therefore, another assessment of this tool is needed.

More information

Polish adaptation of the Burnout Assessment Tool (BAT-PL) by W. Schaufeli et al.

Basińska, B., Gruszczyńska, E., Schaufeli, W.

The Polish adaptation of the BAT is a tool with promising psychometric properties, which can be helpful in research on professional burnout and in clinical practice. It can also help to better understand contemporary determinants of professional burnout, its occurrences among employees, and the consequences of this phenomenon at an individual and organizational level.

More information